Exploration and Settlement

Columbus lands at Hispaniola at the Caribbean

1492

Columbus landed on various Caribbean islands that are now the Bahamas as well as the island later called Hispaniola. He also explored the Central and South American coasts.

Balboa "discover" the Pacific Ocean in Panama

1513

Vasco Núñez de Balboa (c. 1475 – around January 12–21, 1519) was a Spanish explorer, governor, and conquistador. He is best known for having crossed the Isthmus of Panama to the Pacific Ocean in 1513, becoming the first European to lead an expedition to have seen or reached the Pacific from the New World.

Cortes conquered the Aztecs at Tenochtitlan (Mexico City)

1521

The effect the Spanish had on the Aztec Empire is a mixed lot. Historians often disagree on the impact, both positive and negative, that the Spanish had on Aztec civilization. Under the leadership of Hernan Cortes in 1521, the Aztec Empire was destroyed.

De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River

1539

Hernando de Soto (c. 1495 – May 21, 1542) was a Spanish explorer and conquistador who led the first European expedition deep into the territory of the modern-day United States (Florida, Georgia, Alabama and most likely Arkansas). He is the first European documented as having crossed the Mississippi River.

De Soto explores the region between Florida and the Mississippi River

Period: 1539 to 1541